Stadiums light dark skies for graduating seniors in Polk County
Graduation is a major milestone, but this year most high school seniors won't walk across a stage to receive their diploma due to closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida teacher's union pushes for schools to remain closed for the semester
Florida’s teachers union called on Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday to keep campuses closed through the end of the school year, saying the coronavirus outbreak “presents a threat we cannot control.”
Polk students ponder: What to do about graduation?
Like school districts across the country, Polk County recently gave high school seniors disturbing news. Graduations, as planned, are not going to happen because of COVID-19.
Online classes force teachers to get creative
School has always meant a teacher in front of a classroom, but not right now. Because of COVID-19, educators have turned into online instructors and many teachers are learning a lot.
School meals delivered to kids who cannot travel in Polk County
The Polk County School District has been giving away free lunches at schools and at other sites since the COVID-19 pandemic began making its mark.
Manatee school buses to provide free internet for students without it
Manatee County is bringing the internet straight to students.
Polk County distributing 60,000 devices to students for their virtual lessons
Students in Polk County can check out internet-accessible tablets for virtual school starting Wednesday. The devices are for those who many not have the tools they need at home to access those lessons.
Hillsborough County schools analyze coronavirus response, so far; look toward graduation ceremonies
Thousands of students in Hillsborough County are adjusting to a life of e-learning and uncertainty about the end of the school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kids, parents in Pasco County adjust to school at home
Pasco County’s 77 thousand public school students started classes on computers at home today joining thousands of others across the Tampa Bay area kept at home by the novel coronavirus threat.
Pasco County students begin online lessons Tuesday
After President Trump announced the extension of the CDC social distancing guidelines through the rest of April, the Florida Department of Education said on-campus classes won't resume before May 1. The decision to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Online learning ramps up across Bay Area, despite bumpy start
Thousands of students and teachers logged on Monday and, at times, overwhelmed platforms used for virtual learning in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Tampa Bay students head back to school -- virtually
Spring break may be over for students across the Tampa Bay area, but classrooms will remain empty on Monday morning. Virtual learning will kick off this week for Tampa Bay area districts as students, teachers and parents adjust to the new normal of online lessons.
Peyton Manning crashes alma mater's online class
Being late to class is never advisable, especially if the class is held online. Students in Dr. John Haas' class at the University of Tennessee's School of Communication Studies know better, but an unruly attendee showed up late, anyway.
Teachers go on parade to connect with students in Apollo Beach
Dozens of teachers wound through streets near Apollo Beach Elementary to see their students for the first time in over a week. They have been out of school for spring break, but did not return due to the novel coronavirus.
E-learning website goes down on first day of virtual school
There were some anxious moments on the first day of virtual learning when many students weren’t able to log onto Edsby, the digital platform used by Hillsborough County and other school districts. Students, teachers and parents breathed a sigh of relief when the platform was fixed by mid-morning.
Sarasota County offers help to families with transition to online learning
Classrooms in Sarasota County will soon become virtual.
Florida public schools prepare students, families to move classes online
Public school students on spring break are preparing to enter a digital education world instead of going back to class. With the state of Florida closing down schools until April 15, computers and tablets now become classrooms.
Florida public school campuses closed until April 15, state cancels all testing for K-12 schools
Florida officials announced Tuesday they will eliminate testing requirements this spring for public-school students and extend the time in which kids will learn from home, as the state continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
Home school teacher offers parents tips amid closings due to coronavirus
Schools across the country will be closing beginning Monday as fears of the spread of the coronavirus continue. This will create a unique situation where students will be expected to begin distance learning or online courses during that time despite not actually being at school.
All Florida public schools to close for 2 weeks to limit coronavirus spread
The Florida Department of Education announced Friday evening that all schools would be shut down for the weeks of March 16-20 and March 23-27 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.